PUBIC/Crabs LICE AND trichomoniasis By: Komal, Emma, And Manjot

Pubic Lice: Virus Or Bacteria  Pubic lice is not a virus or a bacteria because it is a bug that you can get from another person if you are sexually active.  Lice stick to your pubic area and can get passed on from person to person.  Viruses and bacteria’s are like infections passed on through your body, pubic lice are passed on through contact with anyone who already had pubic lice.

Pubic Lice: Signs And Symptoms People do not usually get any symptoms until having pubic lice for about five days. Symptoms may include:  Intense itching in the genitals or anus which causes red spots.  Mild fever  Feeling run-down  Irritability  The presence of lice or small eggs sacs, which are called nits, in pubic hair.

Pubic Lice: Statistics  An estimated 3 million people with new cases of the infestation are treated each year in the United States.  Pubic lice can spread faster while having physical contact, which is how most of the people in America have it, or else the number of infestations would be much less.

Pubic Lice: Dangers Pubic lice feed on blood by biting skin at the base of a hair follicle. They prevent clotting of the blood by an anticoagulant in their saliva. This along with other substances in the louse’s saliva is seen as foreign by the human immune system, resulting in a mild allergic reaction around the bite. While the itchy felling caused by the allergic reaction is more annoying than harmful, excessive itching can quickly damage the skin of the infested area.

Pubic Lice: Treatments Pubic lice can be treated with medication such as some common brands like A-200, RID, and Nix.  You can ask your health care provider about stronger prescriptions.  Shaving, hot baths, or other home remedies will not work.  Your home should be vacuumed and clothes and towels should be washed properly so they don’t become infected as well.

Trichomoniasis: Virus Or Bacteria  Trichomoniasis is a bacteria because it is an infection caused by sexual contact.  This infection can even be in pregnant women, and because of this the baby may even be premature.  Trichomoniasis can be treated with a treatment for both men and women, but in some cases the parasite expels itself within 14 days.

Trichomoniasis: Signs And Symptoms Women do not start experiencing any signs until 5-28 days. Men may not even experience any signs for years. Some Symptoms may include:  Discomfort and pain while urinating or sexual intercourse.  A high itching sensation  The genitals of women may appear red.  This discharge can have a strong, foul odor.  The color of the area may be green, yellow, white, or gray.

Trichomoniasis: Dangers  Trichomoniasis is associated with an increased risk of getting HIV.  Trichomoniasis may cause a woman to deliver a low-birth-weight or premature infant.  Trichomoniasis is also associated with increased chances of cervical cancer.  Evidence implies that infection in males raises the risks of cancer development and spread due to inflammation.

Trichomoniasis: Treatments  Trichomoniasis can be cured with a single dose of prescription antibiotic medication, pills which can be taken by mouth. It is okay for pregnant women to take this medication. Some people who drink alcohol within 24 hours after taking this kind of antibiotic can have uncomfortable side effects.  People who have been treated for trichomoniasis can get it again. About 1 in 5 people get infected again within 3 months after treatment. To avoid getting reinfected, make sure that all of your sex partners get treated too, and wait to have sex again until all of your symptoms go away (about a week).

Trichomoniasis: Statistics  Most women found to have trichomoniasis (85%) reported no symptoms.  Women with no history of sexual intercourse can still be affected by trichomoniasis (1.0%), as can pregnant women (3.2%), and women who have ever been pregnant (4.1%).  African American women had a prevalence of 13.3%, white women prevalence of 1.3%, and Mexican American women prevalence of 1.8%.  Prevalence of trichomoniasis increases with age and lifetime number of sexual partners.

Resources  htm htm   s-country.htm s-country.htm    topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/pubic-lice-4279.htm topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/pubic-lice-4279.htm